2016 NFL Preview – AFC South

This division sucked last year. It will suck this year. It sucks every year. But who will win it?

Indianapolis Colts

2015 Record: 8-8

Lat year didn’t go as planned for the Colts as franchise quarterback Andrew Luck missed half the season. Still, they went 8-8. Was that a testament to how talented this team is if they were able to go .500 without Luck for 9 games? Not exactly. Their schedule was really easy. The backups went 6-3 for the Colts, largely because the teams they played were trash. This is not a very good team, but with a healthier Luck they’ll probably make their return to the playoffs.

Projected Record: 9-7

Houston Texans

2015 Record: 9-7

The Texans are the defending champs in this division. They combined an above average defense with a competent offense to win 9 games. Some are expecting more from them, on both sides of the ball. But we don’t see it happening. Brian Hoyer has been replaced by Brock Osweiler but how is that an upgrade when Hoyer outplayed Osweiler? This is a mediocre team and we see the rest of the division catching up with them.

Projected Record: 7-9

Jacksonville Jaguars

2015 Record: 5-11

The Jaguars have some exciting young talent including two 1000 yard receivers. But they still have a lot of problems on defense and the offensive line. This is still very much an incomplete team and they’re not yet ready to make a playoff push.

Projected Record: 6-10

Tennessee Titans

2015 Record: 3-13

The Titans are hoping to see a big leap in Marcus Mariota’s second year but they forgot to get him people to throw to. They brought in a couple of new running backs in DeMarco Murray and Heisman winner Derrick Henry but running the ball doesn’t put points on the board anymore. And the defense is still bad. Tennessee is looking at another high draft pick next year. That’s what they have to look forward to.